Automatic athletic foul indicator



March 17, 1970 R, JACKSQN ET AL 3,500,791

AUTOMATIC ATHLETIC FOUL INDICATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May a, 1968 EARL R. JACKSON, DECEASED, BY SOPHIA E JACKSON, sou; HE/R M #M A TTOPNEKS' March 17, 1970 E, JACKSON ETAL 3,500,791

AUTOMATI C ATHLET I C FOUL INDI CATOR Filed May 8, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EARL P. JACKSON, 05654560 B) SOPHIA E JACKSON, so fiE/R Ma /7M A 77'ORNEYS United States Patent O 3,500,791 AUTOMATIC ATHLETIC FOUL INDICATOR Earl R. Jackson, deceased, late of San Joaquin County,

Calif., by Sophia F. Jackson, sole heir, 1917 5. Chestnut Ave., Fresno, Calif. 93702 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 534,983, Mar. 9, 1966. This application May 8, 1968, Ser. No.

Int. 'Cl. G08c /00 US. Cl. 116-132 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for automatically indicating when a foul line has been violated including a pivoted planar wing latched in a down position but released and raised to an upstanding position when an athlete steps on a trip board, the wing carrying a hinged flag which lies generally in the same plane as the wing in the latched position thereof but pivots to be disposed generally at right angles thereto in the upstanding position of the wing. Provision is also made for indicating the commission of a foul when the pressure on the trip board is insufiicient to unlatch the wing and for limiting the vertical movement of the trip board when stepped on.

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending US. application Ser. No. 534,983, filed Mar. 9, 1966 now abandoned, and is directed to improvements of the invention described and claimed in US. Patent No. 3,100,472 granted Aug. 13, 1963, to Earl R. Jackson.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to the automatic indication of fouls committed in athletic events where the takeoff or effort is required to be made from behind a scratch line and more particularly where the event is the running broad jump or long jump, a standard event in track and field athletics. By their very nature, in such events, an atheletes approach to the scratch line is extremely rapid and many trials are made which often are very difficult for officiating personnel to judge fair or foul.

The athletic foul indicator described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 3,100,472 has proved Very effective in assisting field and track ofiicials in making their judgments. However, it has been found in practice that when the near side of the foul board of the indicator of the patent is depressed a slight amount, the far side of SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for automatically indicating the commission of a foul in athletic events which is more sensitive than prior devices for the purpose.

Another object is to provide an indicating device of the character described which automatically indicates the commission of a foul in a manner plainly visible to spectators as well as to officials.

Another object is to provide such a device in which the commission of the foul is indicated automatically in a more spectacular and dramatic manner than with previous devices for the purpose.

Another object is to provide an athletic foul indicating device which operates in a facile and reliable manner for performing its function.

3,500,791 Patented Mar. 17, 1970 lCC Another object is to provide means for indicating the commission of a foul where the pressure on the board is insufficient to cause automatic full indication of the foul.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are achieved by the provision of a device for automatically indicating the violation of an athletic foul line which includes spaced pairs of wings, including a larger wing and a smaller wing or winglet, the wings of each pair of wings being disposed at right angles to each other and pivotally supported for movement from an initial dis position, in which a first one of the wings of each pair of wings is down and the other is upstanding, to a final disposition where the positions of the wings are reversed. The down wing in the initial disposition is latched and urged to an upstanding position. A depressible foul board is operatively connected to release the first Wing of each pair for movement to upstanding position in response tov depression of the board. The other wing serves to indicate proper fair conditions and to aid in movement of the first wing from its down to its upstanding position by providing a counter weight therefor. A stop engageable with the foul board for limiting vertical movement thereof during its depression renders the device more sensitive to the commission of fouls. A coating of material on the foul board serves to indicate a foul when the board is not sufliciently depressed to unlatch the first wings. The automatic indication of a commission of a foul is indicated by a flag of distinctive color pivotally mounted on the first wing of each pair of Wings. In the down position of the wing, the flag is disposed generally planar therewith. A biasing means is operative to pivot the flag incident to the movement of the first wing to its upstanding position for disposing the flag generally at right angles thereto. The fiag carries weights for gravitationally maintaining the flag in its planar position when down.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of an automatic athletic foul indicator device embodying the principles of the present invention with the indicating flag thereof at the right hand of the figure shown in latched position and the indicating flag at the left of the figure shown in actuated position, with certain parts broken away or in section for illustartive convenience.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the right end of the device, as viewed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the left end of the device shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the relative disposition of the parts after the foul indicating flag has been actuated to indicating position.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing the means for limiting vertical movement of the the foul board of the device.

FIG. 5 is a side view, partly in section, of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, taken generally along a line extending at right angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, on an enlarged scale, of the torsion spring employed in actuating the foul indicating flag and the associated wing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT Referring in greater detail to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a device D embodying the principles of the present invention for automatically indicating the violation of the foul line in an athletic event such as the long jump. The device D is an improvement over the invention described in the aforementioned US. Patent No. 3,100,472 and only so much of the patented device,

using the same reference numerals as in the patent, will be described for an understanding of the present invention. Because of dependence on the disclosure of the patent in the initial description, the element identifying numerals will not be necessarily in numerical sequence.

Referring to FIG. 1, the device D is shown associated with a take off board or block T and includes an elongated box-like housing having end Walls 2 and side walls 3, one of which is secured to the block T through convenient means, such as lag screws 59. The housing is covered by a spring-mounted depressible metal plate 6, which is supported by a plurality of helical springs 16, best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, to which a foul board 8 is secured. The device is so situated that the edge of the foul board nearest the block T defines the foul line. .Upward displacement of the foul board is limited by a locking pin 12 seated within an opening 11 formed in a bracket secured to the lowermost surface of the plate 6. Pivotally supported within the housing are actuating levers 17, FIG. 5, of a right-angle configuration, which serve as hell crank levers pivotally connected to a side wall 3 by a conveniently supported pivot pin 18 in a manner such that longitudinal axis of the arms of the arms of the bell crank extend from the pivot pin 18 in generally lateral and vertical directions, while the distal ends of the arms are free to describe spaced arcs about the pivot pin.

Each of the laterally extended arms of the levers 17 includes an actuating protrusion 17 disposed in engagement with the lowermost surface of the plate 6 so that as the plate is depressed the ends of the bell crank lever 17 are displaced to describe arcs about the pivot pin 18.

Connected with the lowermost distal end of each of the levers 17 there is an elongated link 20, which extends through the end walls 2 into end housings H. The links 20 are adapted to be reciprocated through an oscillation of the bell crank levers 17 as the plate 6 is depressed, Each of the end housings are provided with a lid connected to the housing by a hinge 39 for accommodating access thereto.

Within each of the end housings H there is an upstanding and spring-biased latch lever or trigger 47 which is pivotally supported at one end by a pin 48, and includes a latching shoulder or notch 50 formed at its other end. A spring 49 continuously applies a rotating force to urge the lever in rotation about the pin 48, connected to one of the links 20, respectively, and projecting through a suitable opening in the cover 35. The lid 35 is also provided with a suitable aperture through which the stem of a spring pressed plunger 54 extends, the plunger being biased upwardly by a detachable spring 53, FIG. 5.

Substantially aligned with the foul line, and extending beyond the housings H, are rods 23, each rod having the ends thereof supported in a bracket 24 and a plate 31. .Iournaled on each of the rods 23 there is mounted spaced sleeves 22 to which a wing W-1 is secured, as by welding or the like. Similarly secured to one of the sleeves 22 for each of the wings is a smaller wing or winglet W-2 disposed at about a right angle with respect to the larger wing W-1, best seen in FIG. 3. The winglet W-2 is provided with a notch or slot 51 in which the shoulder 50 of the latch lever 47 is adapted to be disposed to engage the winglet W-2 for holding it down in the latched position, as shown in the FIG. 2 and the right end of FIG. 1. In such latched position, the winglet engages and depresses the plunger 54 which is biased by the spring 53 for urging the winglet W-2' upwardly. The winglet W-2 is further urged upwardly by a coil spring 30 disposed about the rod 23 with the opposite ends thereof being connected between the bracket 24 and a sleeve 22 and suitably torsioned for such purpose. Thus, when the plate 6 is depressed the link 20 is withdrawn relative to the associated housing H so that the lever 47 is tripped or withdrawn relative to the slot 51 by action of the lever 17 and link 20 resulting a displacement of the associated winglet W-2 so that it moves to an upstanding position, as will be appreciated from a viewing of FIG. 3. The larger wing W-l in the meantime moves from an upstanding position to a down position. The portions of the indicator device described thus far are essentially the same as those of the patented device.

In order to indicate automatically the violation of the foul line which occurs when an athlete steps upon and depresses the foul board 8, a flag 60 of a distinctive color, for example, red, is provided in contradistinction to the preferred colors of white for the take-off block and the far side of the wings W-l, orange for the near side of the wings W-l and black for the foul board 8 and the winglets W2'. Not only is the flag 60 of a distinctive color but it is also mounted for swinging relative to the winglet W-2' in order that the flag be disposed in a plane extending transversely of the winglet and the foul line after the commission of a foul. To this end, the fiag 60 is of polygonal form and substantially rigid with a flag staff 62 at one edge thereof. The flag staff is fixedly secured in a curled end or sleeve 64 formed at one end of a hinge 66 pivotally mounted on a hinge post 68 the ends of which are secured in curled ends or sleeves 70 formed at one edge of the winglet W-2. Coiled about the intermediate portion of the hinge post 68 is a torsion spring 72 having the ends thereof engaging the hinge 66 and the winglet W2 and urging the hinge from a position in which the hinge lies generally in the plane of the winglet, with the flag staff in engagement with a stop finger 74 fixed to one of the sleeves 70, to a position in which the hinge is at an angle thereto. To limit the extent of such angular disposition of the hinge with respect to the winglet, the winglet is provided with a bent out portion 76 which engages and stops the hinge after the same has swung out to a position generally at a right angle with respect to the plane of the winglet, as shown in FIG. 1. This, of course, also disposes the flag 60 at the same angle and transversely of the wing W1, as shown in FIG. 3.

In setting the flag 60 of the device for the indication of a possible foul, the winglet W-Z is latched in its down position, as shown in FIG. 2, and the hinge 66 is pivoted so as to dispose the body of the hinge and the flag generally in the plane of the winglet with the flag stafi 62 engaging and supported by the finger 74. The flag and binge are maintained in such planar position against the bias of the spring 72 mainly by the weight of the flag and its staff. However, if necessary the flag 60 may be provided with weights 78 and 80 to insure maintenance in such planar position. Should only one of the weights be necessary, it is preferred that weight 80 be omitted in order that the moment arm of the weight 78 be as long as possible with respect to the axis of turning of the hinge about hinge post 68 but short as possible with respect to the axis turning of the winglet W-2' about the axis of the rod 23. Also, the wing W-l is proportioned or weighted to counter the weight of the winglet and the indicating parts carried thereby for aiding in the movement thereof from down to upstanding position.

In the use of the indicator device of U5. Patent No. 3,100,472, where only the locking pins 12 were employed in limiting the upward movement of the board 8, it was found that when the near side of the foul board 8 was depressed slightly, the far side rocked up or tilted considerably, causing a loss of depressive action on the actuating levers 17 which often resulted in failure of the foul indicating means to function. To obviate this condition and render the device more sensitive, the ends of the foul board 8 are provided with vertically disposed recesses or slots 82 located adjacent to the far side of the foul board, as shown in FIG. 1. Referring also to FIG. 4, each recess 82 has associated therewith a retaining pin or finger 84 which extends thereinto and is suitably secured, as at 86 by welding or the like, to the adjacent end wall 2. With such an arrangement, the foul board may be depressed fully but cannot rise over approximately one half of an inch, as prescribed by athletic rules.

Occasionally a foul is committed by a step so slight that the indicating device is not tripped. To detect such a foul a thin coating 88 of a soft substance, which is preferably slow drying and easily spread with a putty knife, is applied to the upper surface of the foul board 8. On a very close decision this coating is examined for a toe imprint or other mark indicating that the foul board 8 has been touched by the athlete. Thus, the requirements of the present athletic rules are definitely met.

OPERATION The device of the present invention is placed in operative condition by latching the winglet W-Z in its sub stantially horizontal or down position, as exemplified in FIG. 2. This biases the spring pressed plunger 54 and torsion spring 30. Hinge 66 is then pivoted so as to dispose the flag 60 generally in the plane of the winglet, the weight of the flag and weights 78 and 80 serving to maintain the flag gravitationally in such position. The indicating flag and associated parts at the other end of the foul board are similarly set. When the foul board 8 is depressed sufiiciently in the commission of a foul at least one lever 17 and its associated link 20 will be displaced to withdrawn the associated latch lever 47 disengage it from the winglet so that the winglet is released. Under the urging of its spring pressed plunger 54 and torsioned spring 30 the winglet is impelled to an upstanding position and simultaneously the associated Wing W-1 is impelled to its down position. It is to be noted that during this transition the moment arm of the winglet and the parts carried thereby becomes progressively shorter with respect to a vertical plane through the axis of rod 23, whereas the moment arm of the wing W-1 with respect to the plane becomes progressively longer, thereby aiding in moving the winglet to its upstanding position. Also during such transition, the gravitational effect of the flag and its weights on the biasing spring 72 is progressively reduced to the extent that the spring pivots the hinge and the flag to a position where the flag is disposed in a plane extending transversely of the winglet as determined by the limit stop 76, thereby indicating the commission of a foul in an automatic and clearly visible manner to both spectators and ofiicials. Also, after each try by the athlete the coating 88 can be examined to determine whether a foul may have been committed which is so slight as not to depress the foul board sufliciently to trip at least one of the indicating flags. The mark made by such a foul is then obliterated by spreading the substance of the coating with a putty knife or other tool, adding more material as necessary in preparation for the succeeding jump.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described the invention, What is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic athletic foul indicator comprising:

(A) means defining a housing to be employed adjacent to a scratch line of the type normally employed in athletic events;

(B) a depressible foul board resiliently supported in said housing and adapted manually to be depressed;

(C) a pair of fixedly interconnected wing members extending from a line of intersection in orthagonally arranged planes;

(D) support means pivotally supporting said wings for oscillation about an axis extending along the line of intersection for the wing members;

(E) spring biasing means operatively associated with the wings continuously urging said Wings in rotation about the support means;

(F) trigger means including a pivoted, spring-biased lever having a shoulder defining a notch adapted to engage one wing of said pair of wings for retaining the wings in opposition to the spring-biasing means;

(G) a foul indicating flag including a flag member fixedly connected with an elongated staff;

(H) a staff support pivotally connected with the stall and mounted on said one wing to be displaced thereby for displacing the flag to a foul indicating position; and

(I) a drive linkage operatively connected between the foul board and the trigger means adapted to respond to a manual depression of the foul board for pivotally displacing the lever, whereby said notch is caused to disengage the one wing so that the spring-biasing means is permitted to displace the wings in rotation about the pivotal support means so that the foul indicating flag is thereby displaced to a foul indicating position.

2. The indicator of claim 1 further comprising a biasing means connected with said staff adapted to impart rotation to the staff as the flag is displaced to a foul indicating position.

3. The indicator according to claim 2 further comprising a thin coating of soft substance applied to the uppermost planar surface of the foul board.

4. The indicator according to claim 3 further comprising means defining pin and slot means operatively coupled with the foul board adapted to support the board against a tilting displacement thereof.

References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,059,211 4/1913 Rishebegar et al. 2735O 3,100,472 8/1963 Jackson 116-114 3,221,705 12/1965 Saviskas 116-132 3,315,632 4/ 1967 Hyden 116114 LOUIS J. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner 

